C. Robert Cloninger, M.D. (Director)

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY
Theodore Reich, M.D.; Richard D. Todd, M.D., Ph.D.; D.C. Rao, Ph.D.; Lee N. Robins, Ph.D.
Keywords: genetics, psychiatry, adults, children, genotyping, clinical research

The Mental Health Clinical Research Center coordinates and integrates multidisciplinary research on the genetic epidemiology of psychiatric disorders. Eight core facilities organize and coordinate multidisciplinary research of 27 independently funded projects in genetic epidemiology: the Adult Assessment Unit and Registry systematically verifies and classifies adult psychiatric patients; the Child Assessment Unit and Registry performs the same role for child patients and family members; the population-based Twin and Birth Certificate Registry systematically ascertains all twins and special groups of singletons born in Missouri after 1968; the Genetic Methodology Facility develops and extends quantitative methods for pedigree analysis; the Biostatistical Consultation Facility advises on experimental design and biostatistical analysis; the Tissue Culture and Neurochemistry Laboratory provides support and expertise in cell culture techniques, neurotransmitter receptor assays and second messenger assays; and the Human DNA Polymorphism Laboratory provides support and expertise in preparation of DNA and genotyping by a variety of molecular genetic techniques. All of these facilities provide consultation and training in their areas of expertise to investigators engaged in mental health research.